POLICE are hunting the arsonists who caused £10,000-worth of damage to the offices of a firm of solicitors in Amesbury last Thursday night.

Five or six youths are suspected of having set light to a number of cardboard boxes in an alleyway off Salisbury Street, near the premises of Lemon Line solicitors and general store Miles of Value.

The fire, which broke out at 10.30pm, spread to the roof of the solicitors' premises and caused internal ceilings to fall down. The building was left heavily smokelogged.

Inspector Steve Douglass, of Salisbury Police, said five fire engines from Amesbury, Salisbury and Wilton went to the scene and firefighters brought the blaze under control before it was able to spread to neighbouring properties.

"Clients of Lemon Line solicitors can rest assured that no damage was caused to any filing or legal paperwork," he said.

He added that the offices remained closed until Monday morning and it was believed that five or six men, in their early 20s, were responsible.

"We are examining CCTV images of the area," he said.

He appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Amesbury police, on 01980 623822, or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

Firefighters remained at the scene until the early hours of Friday, ensuring it did not start up again.